Monday, 8 October 2007

An Angry Baker

Omenakakku (Finnish Apple Cake)

I've been feeling really annoyed, irritable and even angry. I think it's a combination of having too much on my plate (and I don't mean food), feeling like I cannot accomplish all that I need to at a standard that I want them to be and two deadlines coming up close together. Even looking at all the inspiring blogs doesn't seem to help because I feel guilty that I am not spending that time on my research. (Dear fellow bloggers, you will probably not see many comments from me till next weekend, but I look forward to catching up on your cooking and baking after I get a few things out of the way).

Today, I was telling Eva a dear friend and a food blogger, about all this and she remarked that she cannot imagine me acting this way because I am usually calm. Unfortunately, the person who got the brunt of my cranky mood has been my partner, Quikong. This makes me feel somewhat guilty because he has been very patient and understanding. And he's done most of the cooking for the last two weeks because of this. He is really a saviour because it's tough for me to go through such challenging times without my family around me.

When I am in a fiery and agro mood like this, I like to run. But I get back home too late these days, so I baked instead. I usually bake when I am in a giving and loving mood. But I can be an angry baker. Bread would normally be a good way to let off steam because all that kneading is a good way to get rid of all the nervous energy. But I am so short of time so I wanted to bake something quick and stress-free. Thankfully, Wendy's Omenakakku (Finnish Apple Cake) recipe came to the rescue. Her original recipe can be found here.

My adjustments: I used low-fat sour cream, added 1 tsp vanilla essence and 1 tsp ground cinnamon in the batter. I also tossed the apples (granny smith) in cinnamon sugar. Use the best quality butter you can find.

Tasting Notes:~ I've already made this twice since Wendy posted the recipe so that's testament of how much I enjoyed this cake. The cake was perfectly moist without being too buttery. The sour cream is probably responsible for that (look here for baking with yogurt, which also results in moist cakes that are lower in fat).~ What increased the moreish factor of this cake is the mingling flavours of the apples with cinnamon.~ It had just the right amount of sweetness.~ A plus point for me is that this cake also freezes well. When I don't give away my cakes, I like to freeze them for "emergency" situations. My only regret is that I didn't have enough apples when I baked the cake that you see in the photos, so I used more apples the second time round.

Oh how I wish that I could use baking to get over the frantic work stress! Alas, I'm not much of a baker, so instead I cook "big" -- stews and soups -- throwing everything into a pot is just the therapy I need!

I love apple cake and this looks wonderful! I use yogurt a lot in baking...not that I bake much. I pull weeds when I'm in that kind of mood - which is productive..or play mindless computer games, which is not!

Sorry you've so much on your plate. I hope it all calms down soon. Most people get angry sometimes and it's always those we are most close to that take the brunt of it! Ask my husband. Look after yourself. xp.s. great cake, angry or not!

There must be something in the air!! Perhaps it is that time of year when summer is over and a new season has begun. We get into nesting mode like little squirrels and feel that we need to accomplish so much before the cold weather comes. Work gets in the way sometimes of our well being. I am usually the calm one at work but I feel the stress of a new doctor being taking over the office and all the changes..and uncertainty. Glad you baked up a storm Nora.Looks delicious and comforting too!!!

I've tasted two different apple cakes this weekend-must be the new 'in' thing! Yours looks far prettier than anything I've tried, though. Cheer up! We all need some time off the radar (I'm imagining mine will be about 5 months from now when I have the baby!)

Well! I am hap[y that you are able to find something to do to keep yourself busy and from your stress, you need that in order to keep yourdself from thinking other non benificial things. Love your cake!

Oh Nora B. I've been in your situation before and it IS really annoying. Yes, I heard bread is a great stress reliever...besides the wonderful smell from the oven can also be considered aromatherapy. This is a gorgeous apple cake!

Don't get too stressed out Nora! Take a deep breath and have a glass of wine! Sometimes we just have to set our priorities, whether we like them or not, and focus on them one by one. I am so glad Wendy's cake helped your stress. It looks wonderful! Take care of yourself girl! Many hugs:)

I'm sorry to hear that you have been stressed lately...sometimes things can just get so hectic that it is hard to find joy in anything until you feel you have gained some sense of control again. Nora, I am a huge fan of apple cakes, so I'm delighted to see this one! It looks beautiful, and sounds delicious. And it seems that you do equally beautiful baking whether you are in angry or happy mode. :-) Take care of yourself, and you will soon find balance again.

Hey Nora, hang in there! we've all been there at one point or another and used our loved ones as punching bags! poor Quikong too, make it up to him, somehow, huh? As for the cake, it looks beautifully moist. I'm sure it tastes great too!

Wow! You bake when you're angry? I couldn't do that if my life depended on it! Too much detail! I'd rather run in the dark than bake when I'm angry! But I think your solution was genius, because it helped you with your mood AND you got to eat this stunning cake!

oh i do hope u feel better. It ok to feel this way ...everyone has their "off" days. I'm having a really bad week in the kitchen where everything thing i've tried to bake n cook has turned out awful.Hhehe u wont believe it , i asked my hubby to cook as well today ....just to see if t'll change my bad streak ! Hope to see you feeling better n back in action son .

Nora - However taxing it is to be embedded in your obligations, it is necessary from time to time to step away from it and get a little perspective. I, too, like to exercise when I get agitated, and I specifically took up yoga so I can do a session in 20 or so minutes at any time, especially if I don't have time to run, which is what I used to do.

As for Quikong, well, honey, that's what partners a for: support systems through the good and the bad. It works both ways, too.

About Me

For the love of food

... looking, thinking, reading, researching, smelling, creating, discussing, tasting, sharing & dreaming about food.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~Many years ago, I moved to Sydney from a tiny island near the equator. It is no secret that I am obsessed about food. My Aussie husband ("Quikong") claims that he doesn't really care about food. In reality, he is actually a gourmand-in-denial & my harshest critic. Therefore, I've made him the official taster of the recipes I will post.